Edsall won't say who Terps will start at QB vs. Clemson

COLLEGE PARK — — Neither Maryland fans nor the team's next opponent — No. 8 Clemson — are likely to learn who will start at quarterback for the Terps until just before Saturday's game.

"We're just going to evaluate the quarterback position just like we do every other position," Maryland coach Randy Edsall said Tuesday. "Come Saturday night we'll make a determination of who's going to be our quarterback this week. You play the guy that you think gives you the best opportunity to win."

But Clemson coach Dabo Swinney told reporters Tuesday that Boyd is practicing. "It's just a blessing that he's OK," Swinney said in remarks available via the Clemson website.

The Tigers are 6-0 (3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference). Boyd is the ACC's leader in passing and total offense.

Maryland starter Danny O'Brien, last season's ACC rookie of the year, was replaced during Saturday's 21-16 loss at Georgia Tech by C.J. Brown. Both are redshirt sophomores.

Neither was effective passing, but Brown rushed for 124 yards. "Maybe the balls weren't there on time. Maybe I was a little off," Brown said Saturday after completing 4-for-17 passes.

The Terps — who held the Yellow Jackets scoreless in the fourth quarter — were positioned for an upset at the end.

Asked to compare the two quarterbacks, Edsall said: "Danny's strength is probably throwing the football."

He said Brown is faster and "probably a little more athletic," but that Brown can also throw effectively and O'Brien can run.

"We're very fortunate that we have two outstanding quarterbacks here on our campus. It's great to have that kind of depth at that position," Edsall said.

Maryland's depth on the offensive line, meanwhile, took a hit when Andrew Gonnella suffered a severe leg injury during Saturday's game that ended his season.

Gonnella arrived at the Gossett Football Team House and said he will undergo surgery for his dislocated left knee.

Gonnella leaned black crutches against an adjacent chair as he sat with his left leg extended. A long black brace supported the injured leg.

"I think it's any athlete's worst nightmare. You never think it'll happen to you until it does," Gonnella said.

Maryland has three captains — Davin Meggett, Kenny Tate and Joe Vellano — who are still playing. Maryland won't add a fourth captain to replace Gonnella, who will continue to travel with the team if his leg permits it.

He said he was injured in the fourth quarter when a pile of players fell and "my body went one way and my leg went another way.'

Edsall said Gonnella — then in an Atlanta hospital — didn't want anesthesia Saturday until he learned the game's final score.

"I signed the form and they knocked me out, popped the knee back in. They had to get the muscles to relax. That's why they knocked me out," he said.

Sophomore Pete White is listed on the depth chart as the new starter at left guard.